Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin, 12 June 2026 #CosatuNationalActionAgainstCostofLiving
Norman Mampane
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COSATU TODAY COSATU Call Center Contacts: 010 002 2590 #COSATU set to launch the Cost of Living Campaign this month, on the 19th June… #NationaActionAgainstCostOfLiving #ILC2026 #ClassWar #Cosatu40 #SACTU70 #ClassStruggle “Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism” #Back2Basics #JoinCOSATUNow #ClassConsciousness |
Taking COSATU Today Forward Special Bulletin
‘Whoever sides with the revolutionary people in deed as well as in word is a revolutionary in the full sense’-Maoo
Our side of the story
12 June 2026
“Build Working Class Unity for Economic Liberation towards Socialism”
Organize at every workplace and demand respect for labour rights Now!
Defend Jobs Now!
Join COSATU NOW!
Contents
- Workers Parliament: Back to Basics!
- NEHAWU to convene its 13th National Congress
- SADTU Free State condemns the attack of Student Teacher
- South Africa
- UNI stands with 22,000 Pick N Pay workers as South Africa’s Labour Minister steps in
- International-Workers’ Solidarity!
- Changing hearts and minds to end child labour and keep girls in school
- Union gears up organizing Namibia’s auto workers
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WFTU Panel discussion titled “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand”.
Argentina’s UOM fights back against judicial intervention
Workers’ Parliament-Back2Basics #ClassWar
NEHAWU to convene its 13th National Congress
Lwazi Nkolonzi, NEHAWU National Spokesperson, June 08, 2026
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] will hold its 13th National Congress at the Birchwood Hotel & Conference Centre in Boksburg from the 26th to 29th of June 2026.
The congress is convened under the theme “Advance Workplace Organisation to Defend Collective Bargaining, Heighten Class Consciousness and Advance Internationalism".
The congress will serve as a critical platform to deliberate and develop concrete responses to key international, national political and socio-economic matters as well as organisational matters affecting our members and the working class in general.
The congress will receive addresses from the African National Congress [ANC], South African Communist Party [SACP], Congress of South African Trade Unions [COSATU], World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] and Trade Union International Public Service & Allied [TUI – PS&A].
The congress will be attended by more than 750 delegates drawn from all structures of the union and other fraternal organizations from South Africa and Internationally.
Members of the media are hereby invited to apply for accreditation to cover the 13th National Congress.
The following information should be included in the application: Full name, Media House, and contact details.
The deadline for accreditation applications is Friday 19th June 2026.
The application for accreditation should be sent to the following email: lwa...@nehawu.org.za
Issued by NEHAWU Secretariat
For further information, please contact: Lwazi Nkolonzi (National Spokesperson) at 081 558 2335 or email: lwa...@nehawu.org.za
Visit NEHAWU website: www.nehawu.org.za
South Africa #ClassSolidarity
UNI
stands with 22,000 Pick N Pay workers as South Africa’s Labour Minister steps in
12
June 026
An
attempt by Pick n Pay to force around 22,000 retail workers to choose between their jobs and sweeping cuts to their pay and benefits – while sidelining their union, the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU) – has prompted outrage,
a swift solidarity response from UNI Africa and urgent intervention from South Africa’s Minister of Employment and Labour.
In early May, South African retail giant, Pick n Pay, submitted a Section 189A notice to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), triggering a 60-day consultation process towards large-scale retrenchments (redundancies). Critically,
the notice bypassed SACCAWU entirely and presented workers with two unacceptable options: accept mass retrenchments or agree to widescale reductions in their negotiated conditions of employment. The measures sought by the company include a reduction in working
hours equivalent to approximately R2,000 less per month per worker, the elimination of transport support for late and night shifts, the withdrawal of the negotiated 13th cheque, the removal of Sunday pay at the legislated premium, and the abolition of protections
for part-time and variable-time employees.
SACCAWU condemned the process as fundamentally flawed, noting that referring the matter to the CCMA before tabling any proposals with the union was a clear act of bad faith. The union warned that Pick n Pay’s “desperate strategy to attack the gains made by
its workers will have the unintended consequences of deepening the economic crisis families of workers are already facing.”
“UNI Africa is particularly concerned by the reported attempt to bypass established internal bargaining processes” said UNI Africa Regional Secretary Keith Jacobs, in a solidarity statement condemning the move. “UNI Africa further recognizes that this matter
extends beyond one company. It speaks directly to the broader struggle for decent work, fair wages, collective bargaining rights, and the protection of workers in Africa’s retail sector. Any weakening of negotiated rights at Pick n Pay sets a dangerous precedent
for workers across the region.”
Following calls for intervention, Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth convened a six-hour meeting in Cape Town on 3 June, bringing together company management, SACCAWU and COSATU leaders. The meeting resulted in an agreement to return to collective
bargaining with set timelines and the halting of the CCMA facilitation process. Bilateral negotiations between Pick n Pay management and SACCAWU will now follow.
“Pick n Pay’s 22,000-strong workforce deserves respect. As the company enters negotiations, we urge management to recognize the invaluable contribution these workers make every day – and to recognize their right to bargain collectively through SACCAWU,” said
Mathias Bolton, Head of UNI Commerce.
Pick n Pay is one of Africa’s largest retailers, operating around 2,227 stores across South Africa, Botswana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
International-Solidarity
Changing hearts and minds to end child labour and keep girls in school
Equity and inclusionFrom work to school: putting an end to child labour, 11 June 2026 written by: Ndakaziva Masinire
To mark World Day against Child Labour, we are featuring the story of Ms Ndakaziva Masinire, Deputy Head of Goromokwa Primary School in Zimbabwe. She works to end child labour in her community and ensure girls are not deprived of their fundamental right to education, as part of a project led by education unions ZIMTA and PTUZ, with support from Education International, the AOb (the Netherlands), GEW Fair Childhood Foundation (Germany), and Mondiaal FNV (the Netherlands).
Worlds of Education: Ms Masinire, please tell us about yourself, your school, and your community.
I am Ndakaziva Masinire and I am a primary school teacher at the Goromokwa Primary School in Muzarabani, Zimbabwe. I am also Deputy Head of my school. In total, 336 students attend our primary school, and we have 10 teachers working here. Goromokwa is a resettlement area, so the population is quite mobile. At the moment, there are about 4,200 people living here.
Conditions in the area are harsh, and some children have to walk 6 kilometres to get to school every day. Many have no electricity at home and people are struggling. This is why children here are particularly vulnerable to child labour.
In addition, girls are vulnerable to child marriages and pregnancies. This is why some girls drop out of school and spend their lives doing unpaid labour in the home.
Worlds of Education: How did you get involved in the ZIMTA and PTUZ project to create a child labour free zone in your area and why are you so passionate about this issue?
I found out about the project from my union, ZIMTA. I was invited to a training organised by ZIMTA and PTUZ. I participated alongside other teachers, School Development Committee members, school heads, and others.
The training was a real eye opener for both educators and community members. Before the training, if a 14 year old child wanted to enrol in our primary school, I would hesitate and think that he or she is too old to register. After the training, I realised that every child has the right to be in school and that we must do everything in our power to end child labour.
I understood that this was something we teachers could change if we mobilised and worked with our community. It was up to us to change hearts and minds and give our children a chance for a better future.
Worlds of Education: This is a very ambitious mission. Where did you start?
After the union training, I organised a general meeting with members of the School Development Committee and the Child Protection Committee to discuss the situation of children out of school. During this exchange, I explained that the project aims to identify all children who are not currently attending school and to ensure their enrolment.
The committee members shared that many children were not in school due to a lack of money or food, or because they were considered too old to return. In response, I emphasised that no child should be denied access to education for reasons of poverty, food insecurity, or age.
This led to a strong commitment from the community members, who agreed to actively identify these children and work together for their return to school.
Worlds of Education: How did you change the mindset of the local community in favour of education?
Through the awareness raising campaign, many in the community got involved, the police, social welfare officers, and all relevant authorities. Thanks to this mobilisation, parents are becoming increasingly aware of children’s rights.
During village events and community gatherings, I take the opportunity to speak about children’s well-being and the importance of ending child labour. Each opportunity can be used to talk to parents, even when meeting them while going to fetch water at the river or at the well.
I take the parents step by step, help them understand the risks associated with child labour, the difference between child labour and child work.
We reassure them that their children will be welcome and well treated in our school, even if they cannot afford a school uniform. Parents can see that the school offers an environment conducive to learning and growing, we built more classrooms and toilets, and offer games and sports activities that help keep children in school.
We also received support from the ZIMTA and PTUZ to launch an income generating project. We chose to develop a broiler project, raising chickens and selling them. With the profits, we purchase stationery and pay school fees for children whose parents cannot afford them.
Worlds of Education: What has been the impact of this mobilisation?
We’ve seen really good results in terms of the enrolment of former child workers.
In 2022 and 2023, we enrolled 26 former child workers. Some of them are now in grade 7. Several children, at 12 years old, could not read or write when they arrived, but we worked together as a team to help them progress. When necessary, we place them in the lowest class and start from there.
In 2024 and 2025, we enrolled 32 more former child workers, although some of them have since transferred to schools in Centenary township. Out of the 32, eighteen remain with us.
I believe there are no more school aged children in this area who are still working.
We’ve also been able to significantly reduce absenteeism.
Absenteeism has fallen to well below 5%, whereas it used to be much higher, up to 30% in 2021.
After the training provided to the School Development Committee and to the teachers, we all became more motivated. Everyone benefited as more children began attending school. The pass rate has increased, and teachers’ motivation has improved significantly.
Worlds of Education: What has been the reaction of local authorities?
They have become a big support for the project and the school community. We’ve seen local authorities advocate in favour of education in the community.
Our local counsellor has also taken on a new role. He works with the parents to support the school. For example, he collected bricks from parents to build another classroom and new toilet blocks. He purchased the cement out of his own resources and he also helps teachers.
We now hope to build a well with his support because we have no drinking water. We’re forced to drink water from the river even though it’s not safe.
Worlds of Education: How has the relationship with parents changed through this project?
The relationship between teachers and parents has improved significantly. Parents see how much we care about their children and they now come to me when there’s a problem. We work together.
For example, the ZIMTA and PTUZ project taught us how to make solar lamps using recycled materials that can be found in the village. The solar lamps are making a big difference. Previously, pupils were unable to do any homework because there was no light at home. We distributed 100 lamps to the children, and they come to the school every day to charge them. We are producing more lamps so that all students can have light and be able to do their homework.
Parents see all our efforts to support our students at school and at home and they appreciate it.
Worlds of Education: Throughout the project, is there a story that marked you and that you’d like to share?
Yes, there is one story that stands out. Grace lost her father in 2015, when she was 5. She was raised by her mother in Muzarabani and her mother later remarried. At the age of 12 she was abused a number of times by her stepfather, and he even threatened her with a gun so that she wouldn’t tell anyone about the abuse. When she became pregnant, her stepfather had her taken to Mozambique to conceal the pregnancy and avoid prosecution. She was left there with a man who continued the abuse.
While in Mozambique, she was taken in by another family and it was in their home that she gave birth. One day she overheard the man her stepfather had sent her with saying that her stepfather wanted her killed. She was very afraid but she opened up to the family she was staying with and they helped her run away and report her case to the police in Mozambique. They contacted the police in Zimbabwe and her stepfather was arrested and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Grace was reunited with her mother who had been desperately searching for her. She now lives with her mother and her little girl.
After a year, Grace wanted to return to school, to our school. We welcomed her warmly and did our best to help her complete her primary education. She brought her child to school and we helped with things we knew she needed for herself and her little girl.
Grace’s case encouraged others to come forward and report situations of abuse. Two other girls found the courage to speak up, and two additional men were convicted for acts of sexual abuse against minors in the community.
Grace has now graduated from primary school and she is continuing her studies because she wants to become a human rights activist. Her future looks bright and I am very proud of her.
I am grateful to the ZIMTA and PTUZ project because it opened my eyes to how important education was for the future of our children. Without the project, I would not have known how to support Grace and many other children in my community.
_____________________
Union gears up organizing Namibia’s auto workers
11 June, 2026
Fourteen shop stewards from the Metal and Allied Namibian Workers' Union (MANWU) attended a capacity-building workshop in Windhoek on 4-5 June. The training
focused on organizing the automotive industries, which employ about 40,000 workers.
MANWU, an IndustriALL affiliate, wants to boost its membership in the sector.
Namibia’s automotive sector is growing. The government has backed original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), most notably Peugeot, as anchors for a domestic industry. But the Peugeot project has stalled. The carmaker has struggled to sustain sales in the local
market and has not broken into exports. Fewer jobs have been created as a result.
New entrants, among them Chinese manufacturers, are expected to make in-roads into Namibia’s still-modest market. Meanwhile, the government is laying groundwork for an electric vehicle (EV) industry. This is in line with a Just Transition policy that seeks
to ensure the shift to clean transport does not happen at workers’ expense.
Learning the basics
The workshop, supported by IndustriALL Sub-Saharan Africa regional office, covered occupational health and safety (OHS), workplace case handling, organizing strategies and the Just Transition.
OHS committees were described as a centrepiece of the training. Workers learnt how to establish and run such committees. When they function properly, the committees are among the most effective mechanisms available. They reduce injuries, enforce legal protections
and give workers a formal voice over working conditions. In a sector where safety risks are common and enforcement uneven, health and safety are key.
“We came to learn how to handle cases at the workplace, to know our rights and what the union can do for us,”
said Stephanie Kapuka who works at Gobabis Toyota.
Case handling including navigating disciplinary procedures, grievances and disputes were discussed. For workers without specialist legal training, workplace conflicts can feel unwinnable. The workshop aimed to change that, building confidence alongside competence.
Participants were honest about the organizing challenge. Collective bargaining improves only when membership grows. Workers must trust that the union can deliver. And the union must have the numbers to sit at the negotiating table.
Just Transition
In Namibia, where mining and manufacturing are central to livelihoods and under pressure from decarbonization, the meaning of the Just Transition is contested. For MANWU’s members, just transition means the automotive sector will be transformed. The global
push for EVs is reshaping the industry, even if uptake in Namibia remains low. If workers are not at the table, the costs will fall on the most vulnerable. That was the clear message from the shop stewards. MANWU is participating in national Just Transition
discussions and wants to ensure that shop stewards can translate the policy language back to the shop floor.
“I want to understand what Just Transition means for our jobs, not just to hear the phrase but know what it actually means for workers like us,”
said Andreas Hochobes from Drydock and Ship Repair.
“With the transition going through the automotive industries as a result of e-mobility, unions should continue their recruitment drives and engage in collective bargaining. Social dialogue with key partners remains essential in order to protect workers’ working
conditions,”
said Paule-France Ndessomin, IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa.
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WFTU Panel discussion titled “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand”.
WFTU,10 Jun 2026
The WFTU held a Panel Discussion under the title “35 Hour Workweek: A Necessary, Mature, and Feasible Demand” on June 9th, 2026 in Geneva, as the second side-event
in the framework of the 114th International Labour Conference.
The Panel Discussion kicked off with the introductory interventions of three keynote speakers: Pambis Kyritsis, WFTU General Secretary; Estaban Munoz, Information Technology Engineer on behalf of IWI; and Isido Esnaolaz, economist.
The discussion focused on the firm, timely, and just demand for a 35-hour work week with no wage reduction and with improved security, social rights, and working conditions.
All the participants who took the floor underlined that 35-hour work week is a realistic demand that corresponds to the growth of productivity and technological development, while at the same time being a necessary condition for the reproduction of labour power
and the satisfaction of the contemporary needs of the peoples and today’s working-class families.
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Argentina’s UOM fights back against judicial intervention
10 June, 2026
The National Labour Appeals Court of the Argentine Republic has ordered a judicial intervention in the UOM metalworkers' union. IndustriALL Global Union
expresses its deep concern and its total condemnation of this decision.
Víctor Pesino and María Dora González, the same labour court judges who endorsed the labour reform introduced by Argentina’s President Javier Milei, issued a ruling against IndustriALL affiliate UOM on 22 May. The judges declared the election held at the Zárate-Campana
branch to be invalid, annulled the national re-election of the general secretary, Abel Furlán, and ordered a 180-day period of intervention.
“This judicial intervention did not happen overnight. It is the culmination of a political, judicial and corporate operation that we have been denouncing for months and that has always had a sole objective: to bring the UOM to heel, weaken our ability to fight
for our rights, ensure that employers are able to pay starvation wages and that workers are unable to organize,”
UOM said in an official statement.
The court ruling came as UOM was engaged in collective bargaining with the sector’s main employers to defend metalworkers’ wages. Workers have suffered two years of falling pay.
UOM has vowed to fight back against this attack and will defeat
“this attempt at political intervention disguised as a court ruling. (…) We will respond with trade union democracy, participation, organization and struggle. We will overturn this intervention just as the Argentine labour movement has overturned every historical
attempt to subjugate it.”
On 26 May, UOM’s executive board rejected the intervention. The union has launched a process to restore statutory compliance and declared a state of alert and mobilization. In line with its statutes, the union appointed officials to ensure normal operations
pending full normalization.
On 26 May, unions, including IndustriALL affiliates, staged a “hug-in” in front of UOM headquarters. The action was a direct protest against the court ruling that removed Furlán and placed the union under judicial intervention.
In a letter to Furlán, IndustriALL’s general secretary Atle Høie expressed his solidarity with Argentina’s workers. It condemned the court’s decision and urged authorities to ensure full respect for union freedom and to comply with international conventions.
“This decision constitutes serious interference in trade union autonomy and sets a dangerous precedent for trade union freedom and democracy in Argentina.
“IndustriALL notes with concern that the use of legal proceedings to oust legitimately elected trade union leaders constitutes a way of cracking down on organizations that defend wages, collective bargaining, domestic production and labour rights. We express
our full solidarity with Argentina’s metalworkers, with our colleague Abel Furlán, and with the legitimately elected leadership of the UOMRA.”
______________________________
Norman Mampane (Shopsteward Editor)
Congress of South African Trade Unions
110 Jorissen Cnr Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, 2017
P.O.Box 1019, Johannesburg, 2000, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911 Direct line: 010 219-1348